Liquid emission device having membrane with individually deformable portions, and methods of operating and manufacturing same

Abstract

An emission device for ejecting a liquid drop, and methods of operating and manufacturing same are provided. The device includes a structure defining a chamber volume adapted to receive a liquid and has a nozzle orifice through which a drop of received liquid can be emitted. The chamber volume defining structure includes a membrane portion having a plurality of individually deformable portions. A controller is adapted to selectively actuate at least one of the plurality of individually deformable portions of the membrane.

1. An emission device for ejecting a liquid drop comprising:
 a structure defining a chamber volume adapted to receive a liquid and having a nozzle orifice through which a drop of received liquid can be emitted;  
 a membrane portion of the chamber volume defining structure, the membrane portion having a plurality of individually deformable portions, each of the plurality of individually deformable portions being operatively associated with the nozzle orifice; and  
 a controller adapted to selectively actuate at least one of the plurality of individually deformable portions.  
 
   
   
     2. The emission device according to  claim 1 , the structure defining the chamber volume including an outer wall, wherein the membrane portion is sealingly attached to the outer wall of the structure such that the received liquid is contained within the chamber volume. 
   
   
     3. The emission device according to  claim 1 , the membrane portion including a first electrode, the emission device further comprising:
 a second electrode spaced apart from the membrane portion.  
 
   
   
     4. The emission device according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 at least one pedestal positioned between the membrane portion and the second electrode, the at least one pedestal defining each of the plurality of individually deformable portions of the membrane.  
 
   
   
     5. The emission device according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least one pedestal is electrically insulating. 
   
   
     6. The emission device according to  claim 4 , further comprising a fluid region located in the areas adjacent to the at least one pedestal. 
   
   
     7. The emission device according to  claim 3 , wherein the second electrode includes a plurality of segments, each of the plurality of segments of the second electrode being individually electrically addressable. 
   
   
     8. The emission device according to  claim 3 , wherein the controller is adapted to apply an electrostatic voltage differential between the membrane portion and the second electrode. 
   
   
     9. The emission device according to  claim 1 , wherein the emission device is a printhead of an inkjet printer. 
   
   
     10. The emission device according to  claim 1 , wherein the membrane portion is circular in shape. 
   
   
     11. The emission device according to  claim 1 , wherein the membrane portion is rectangular in shape. 
   
   
     12. An emission device for ejecting a liquid drop comprising:
 a structure defining a chamber volume adapted to receive a liquid and having a nozzle orifice through which a drop of received liquid can be emitted;  
 an actuator having:  
 a first electrode associated with the chamber volume defining structure, the first electrode having a plurality of deformable portions, each of the plurality of individually deformable portions being operatively associated with the nozzle orifice; and  
 a second electrode; and  
 a controller adapted to selectively move at least one of the plurality of deformable portions.  
 
   
   
     13. The emission device according to  claim 12 , wherein the nozzle orifice is positioned over one of the plurality of deformable portions of the first electrode. 
   
   
     14. The emission device according to  claim 12 , further comprising a fluid region located between the first electrode and the second electrode. 
   
   
     15. The emission device according to  claim 14 , wherein the second electrode includes paths connecting the fluid region to a fluid reservoir. 
   
   
     16. The emission device according to  claim 15 , wherein the fluid is air and the fluid reservoir is ambient atmosphere. 
   
   
     17. The emission device according to  claim 12 , wherein the second electrode comprises a plurality of segments. 
   
   
     18. The emission device according to  claim 17 , wherein the controller is adapted to apply an electrostatic voltage differential between the first electrode and at least one of the plurality of segments of the second electrode. 
   
   
     19. The emission device according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 at least one pedestal positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, the at least one pedestal being located between the plurality of segments of the second electrode.  
 
   
   
     20. The emission device according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 at least one pedestal positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, the at least one pedestal being located over at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of segments of the second electrode.  
 
   
   
     21. The emission device according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 at least one pedestal positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, the at least one pedestal defining each of the plurality of deformable portions of the first electrode.  
 
   
   
     22. The emission device according to  claim 21 , the second electrode comprising a plurality of segments, one of the plurality of deformable portions of the first electrode corresponding to one of the plurality of segments of the second electrode. 
   
   
     23. A method of operating a liquid emission device comprising:
 providing a structure defining a chamber volume adapted to receive a liquid and having a nozzle orifice through which a drop of received liquid can be emitted;  
 providing a member associated with the chamber volume defining structure, the member having a plurality of deformable portions, each of the plurality of individually deformable portions being operatively associated with the nozzle orifice; and  
 selectively actuating at least one of the plurality of deformable portions of the member such that the drop of received liquid is emitted through the nozzle orifice.  
 
   
   
     24. The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising:
 providing an electrode, wherein selectively actuating at least one of the plurality of deformable portions of the member includes applying an electrostatic charge differential between the member and the electrode.  
 
   
   
     25. The member according to  claim 23 , further comprising:
 providing an electrode having a plurality of individual segments, wherein selectively actuating at least one of the plurality of deformable portions of the member includes applying an electrostatic charge differential between the member and at least one of the plurality of individual segments of the electrode.  
 
   
   
     26. An emission device for ejecting a liquid drop comprising:
 a structure defining a chamber volume adapted to receive a liquid and having a nozzle orifice through which a drop of received liquid can be emitted;  
 an actuator having:  
 a first electrode associated with the chamber volume defining structure, the first electrode having a plurality of deformable portions; and  
 a second electrode;  
 a controller adapted to selectively move at least one of the plurality of deformable portions; and  
 a fluid region located between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the second electrode includes paths connecting the fluid region to a fluid reservoir.  
 
   
   
     27. The emission device according to  claim 26 , wherein the fluid is air and the fluid reservoir is ambient atmosphere.